Rhoda Melchiorre

Rhoda “Adohr” Melchiorre of Sanford, Maine passed away on December 7, 2021 at the Gosnell
Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine.

Rhoda, daughter of Doris Emery, was born on December 4, 1928 in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
She was adopted in 1935 by Augustus and Agnes David. Her fondest memories as a young girl
were of spending summers in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Upon graduation, Rhoda began a retail career in Boston, first as a clerk and later as a buyer. In
1959, Rhoda continued her career as a merchandising executive in New York City, buying
merchandise for various independent stores across the country until her retirement in 1976.
On August 1, 1976, Rhoda married the love of her life, Joseph Melchiorre at Christ Church on
Staten Island, New York. Joe and Rhoda resided on Staten Island until 1998, when after 14
years of summer vacationing in Ogunquit, they decided to make their home in York, Maine.
Later in life, Rhoda fulfilled her dream of becoming a painter. Although she was essentially self-
taught, most of her instruction came from classes and training under local artists in New York
City and Maine. Her works include watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels and various mixed water-
based media.

In the spring of 2001, Rhoda opened an art studio in York, Maine and taught painting classes at
York Adult Education. During her art career of over 25 years, she won numerous awards in
juried shows in New York, New Jersey and Maine. Her works which she signed “Adohr” were
shown in many private collections in the United States, Belgium, England, Saudi Arabia and
Japan.

Rhoda was predeceased by her husband, Joseph. She will be dearly missed by her friends and
loved ones, many of whom traveled from throughout the United States to celebrate her 90 th
birthday with her. And she will live forever in the hearts of Sonia McGinnis and Kimberly
Strandell, whom Rhoda referred to as her “adopted daughters”.

Rhoda spent the last days of her life at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House where she received
compassionate and loving care and support. In Rhoda’s memory, donations may be made to
Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074, or online at
www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/give.

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